Dr. Rayford Hill Boyett, age 85, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at Wellstar Paulding Hospital in Dallas, Georgia. Services for Dr. Boyett will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 30, at the Cadwell Chapel of Cox Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Climax, Georgia. The family will receive friends one hour before the service, beginning at 10:00.
Rayford (Ray) Hill Boyett was born October 9, 1936, in Climax, Georgia to James Edgar Boyett and Thetis Pauline Rackley Boyett. Ray was raised by Godly parents that served as examples that he worked to emulate.
After graduating from Climax High School, Ray continued his education at Berry College. He received his BS at Berry, MS from the University of Florida, and his PhD from Florida State University. Dr. Boyett worked as a Health Physicist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and later as an Associate Professor of Physical and Nuclear Technology. He retired from FEMA as Regional Health Physicist.
Ray was a man of God. He served as Senior Deacon of the Community Primitive Baptist Church in Whigham, Georgia, as clerk of the Ochlocknee Primitive Baptist Association, and in many other areas of church service.
In 1959 he married the love of his life and best friend, Nancy Grace Tichenor. Ray and Nancy were blessed with a daughter, Ranan. He and Nancy shared life together for 62 years. Ray and Nancy recently relocated to Cedartown, Georgia. His God and family were his heart, but music came next.
Ray was a talented musician. He played almost every stringed instrument. He wrote and played classic country, blue grass, and Western swing. Ray played at the Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee, Georgia and provided many musical concerts for numerous festivals throughout Georgia and Florida.
Ray was recognized often for his achievements in his work and musical talent. The two closest to his heart would the Distinguished Achievement award he received from the Berry College Alumni Association. In recognition of his contributions and achievements in the music industry, he was elected to join the Georgia Country Music Hall of Honor.
Ray was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and friend. He will be sorely missed.
Dr. Rayford (Ray) Hill Boyett is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy Tichenor Boyett of Cedartown, Georgia; daughter, Ranan Boyett Stimpson and husband Todd; sisters, Becky Josey, Jean Ann Ouzts, and Myra Seals and husband, Lloyd; grandson, Daniel Stimpson and wife, Autumn; numerous nieces, nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Edgar and Pauline Boyett.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 544 Bert Phillips Road, Climax, Georgia 39834
On- line condolences may be sent at www.Coxfuneral.net. Cox Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Prayers for peace and comfort in the days to come. I know you all will miss him.